AG079: Difference between revisions

The episode opens not with Ash and {{ashfr}} but with [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}}, for another installation of the trials and tribulations of {{TRT}}. Team Rocket report in to {{an|Giovanni}}. Though they don't have anything new to report, Giovanni becomes very angry with them because the secret base they were working on was destroyed in ''[[AG071|A Six Pack Attack!]]''. He says that they're failing their mission in the [[Hoenn|Hoenn Region]] which he has been funding, and if they don't improve, he'll send in [[Butch]] and [[Cassidy]] to finish the job instead.

Meanwhile, continuing the trek to [[Fortree City]], Ash and the gang come across a {{an|Spoink}}, a {{type|Psychic}} Pokémon. Most Spoink use the Pearls on their heads to channel their formidable psychic powers, but this Spoink is upset after losing its Pearl. Being the good Samaritans that they are, the group decides to help the distressed Spoink locate its lost pearl. Though they look hard for it, the Spoink tries to put any round objects it sees on its head, (including an {{p|Igglybuff}}, a {{p|Voltorb}}, and an {{p|Electrode}}). When the Pearl is found, however, Team Rocket, working with renewed vigor after Giovanni threatened to replace them, attack the group. Though they use a traditional pitfall trap, they introduce themselves as the "new Team Rocket" and say that they're going for a fresh start—however, they end up blasting off as usual. This time, though, Meowth manages to grab the Spoink's pearl which blasts off with them. Ash and the gang soon notice the absence of the pearl and chase after Team Rocket.

After blasting off, Team Rocket comes across a fair, and Ash and company chase Team Rocket onto the fairgrounds, where they initially lose sight of each other. Spoink tries a few more round objects, like a juggler's balls and a fortune teller's crystal ball. Team Rocket, meanwhile  is approached by the same [[Magikarp salesman]] who has made James' life a misery in the past and offers to trade Feebas for the Pearl. Though James is wary of the known swindler, the Magikarp salesman reveals that {{p|Feebas}} evolves into {{p|Milotic}}, the most beautiful of all Pokémon, [[Jessie]] becomes dazzled by the possibilities. [[James]] and {{MTR}} are still reluctant and question the salesman on the source of his information, which he says he got from {{an|Professor Oak}} (the information on Feebas' evolution is accurate). He also regales them with a tale of his family life (he has many children to support, etc.) and that he has given up a life of crime. This story finally convince Team Rocket to make the trade.

Jessie is eager to get the Feebas to evolve, so they let their new Pokémon go for a swim in a nearby river. Soon, Feebas' color begins to change...but not with the glow of evolution. Feebas is just a Magikarp painted with a Feebas' colors, revealing that they have been swindled yet again! Ash and company find Team Rocket at this point, who quickly explain what happened, and both groups head back to the fair to find the crooked salesman. When they find him, he's trying to sell "Feebas" to passersby, so {{an|Brock}} calls out {{TP|Brock|Mudkip}} to use {{m|Water Gun}} on the "Feebas" which is quickly revealed to be a Magikarp beneath some paint. When the salesman tries to flee, Ash and company corner him and in the ensuing struggle, the pearl slips out of his bag. Team Rocket arrives only moments later and a battle ensues, but Spoink (reunited with its Pearl) uses its powerful Psychic attacks to blast off Team Rocket. During the commotion, the Magikarp salesman escapes...to swindle another day. But as Ash remarks at the end, at least they found the pearl!

* Jessie buys a {{DL|List of Pokémon temporarily owned by the Team Rocket trio|Magikarp}} disguised as a {{p|Feebas}} from the [[Magikarp salesman]], but eventually losses it after the disguise comes off.

* {{an|Giovanni}} ([[Boss fantasy|fantasy]])

* {{p|Persian}} ({{OP|Giovanni|Persian}}; [[Boss fantasy|fantasy]])

* {{p|Magikarp}} ([[Jessie]]'s; new; sold to her as a Feebas and got lost before being captured)

* {{p|Spoink}} ({{an|Spoink|anime}}; debut)